Robert McNally (b. 1982), Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK. Lives and works in Leicestershire, UK. He graduated in 2005 from Camberwell College of Art, University of the Arts, London, UK. Rob's process is highly labour-intensive and solitary. Dedication to the meticulous and physical endeavour of drawing is central to his ethos and expression. Drawing upon the childhood influences of video games and science fiction, his work treads a path on the borderline between digital and analogue. He explores an interior landscape of loneliness/belonging, isolation through the exploration of technology, and the malleability of context and history in the post-internet world.
Solo Exhibitions include The Metawürst, Christine König, Vienna, AT (2021); Drawings from the Hermit’s Cave, David Risley Gallery, Copenhagen, DK (2017); Auf Wiedersehen, Workplace Gallery, Gateshead, UK (2017); Artist of the Day, Flowers Gallery, Mayfair, UK (2015); Shyster, Chiseler & Quack, David Risley Gallery, Copenhagen, DK (2015); Shotgun in’t mouth, brains on’t wall, David Risley Gallery, Copenhagen, DK (2011); Solo Exhibition, One in the Other, London, UK (2007).
Group Exhibitions include (Upcoming) Mirror, Mirror, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, London (2024); World of Gazza, Oof Gallery, Tottenham Hotspur, London, UK (2023); Freak Show, Kate Vass Galerie, Zürich, CH (2023); Drawing Wow, Minuseins, Vienna, AT (2022); No Plan at All, BORCH Gallery, Berlin, DE (2021); Drawing Biennial, The Drawing Room, London, UK (2021); Collective Failure, J Hammond Projects, London, UK (2018); Malevolent Eldritch Shrieking, Attercliffe TM, Sheffield, UK (2018); Copenhagen Photo Festival, Niels Borch Jensen (2017); In the Pines-Slight Return, David Risley Gallery, Copenhagen, DK (2017); Washington186, Aeroplastics Contemporary, Brussels, BE (2017); So many steps, so little time, De Bond, Bruges, BE (2016); All I Want is you…and you…and you, Aeroplastics Contemporary, Brussels, BE (2016); Alte Spinnerei, Leipzig, DE (2016); Forever, Bubox, Kortrijk, Brussels, BE (2016); Pre Memories, Aeroplastics Contemporary, Brussels, BE (2016); Group show of Gallery Artists, David Risley Gallery, Copnehagen, DK (2015); Between the Lines, All Visual Arts, London, UK (2013); Wonderful-Die Olbricht Collection, Me Collectors Room, Berlin, DE (2012); Metamorphosis, All Visual Arts London, UK (2012); Extravagant, Shameless, Unlimited, Museum Boijmans van Beuningen, Rotterdam (2012); Dessins Contemporains Surréalistes de Rotterdam, Institut Néerlandais, Paris, FR (2012); Return, The House of the Nobleman, London, UK (2011), Desenhos A-Z, Museu Da Cidade, Lisbon (2009); Uncanny Drawings, Madeira Corporate Services Collection, PT (2008); Drawing from The West Collection, The West Collection, Pennsylvania, US (2008); New London Artists, The Factory, Berlin, DE (2006); Merry Echo Cooling Spot, One in the Other, London, UK (2006); Future Map, University of the Arts, London, UK (2005).
Highlights and Collections
McNally's work can be found in prominent collections such as of the Museum Boijmans van Beuningen (NL), Damien Hirst’s Murderme Collection (UK), Ekard, Collection (NL), West Collection (USA), Sovereign Art Foundation (HK), Benetton Foundation / Imago Mundi (IT), Olbricht Collection (DE), Asante International (CH), Julian and Stephanie Grose (AUS), Robert & Renee Drake (USA), Robert Devereux Collection (UK), Asbaek Art Consulting (DK), Ole Faarup Collection (UK), Jake Chapman (UK), Dinos Chapman (UK), Soho House Group (UK), Argyll International Group (UK), Natalya / Didier Casimiro (RUS). The artist has been part of various artistic residencies including PCH Berlin Los Angeles (2010-2017), Copenhagen Krogerup (2011), Pop-Pop Studio Nassau Bahamas (2008), as well as being selected at annual art fairs including: Alte Spinnerai (Leipzig), Art Basel, Art Basel Hong Kong, Volta: Basel, Art Brussels, Art Cologne, Chart Art Fair, Copenhagen, Drawing Now, Paris, Armony, New York, Art Rotterdam, London Original Print Fair (Royal Academy), Manchester Contemporary.